Syria to face Australia for World Cup berth as Saudis qualify by beating Japan 1-0

Australian football has gone backwards since they won the Asian cup....

the Australians instead missed chance after chance against a much weaker opponent.

Much weaker opponent on paper that is. Thailand's defence was superb, some of their players were technically better than the aussies (why no A league clubs sign any these guys is beyond me) and their counter attacking football was brutally effective. Oz commentators/fans agreed they should have been awarded a penalty at the start of the 2nd half (at 0-0). And let's not forget they drew oz 2-2 in bkk last year (that's where the socceroos missed an automatic qualification berth imo).

Oz is just not a football nation (as of yet), they lack depth and quality coaches at every level. The pyramidal promotion/relegation system most euro countries have in most sports is imo the best to improve players depth and oz will have to look into this sooner rather than later even if it's not in their dna. (should also implement it in rugby but that's another debate altogether).

As for Syria, hats off for qualifying without playing a single home game. Syria and possibly Honduras then.

"When the final whistle blew, several South Korean players sank to the ground in relief..."

As they SHOULD have! While they had some close shots, their performance not only in the qualifiers thus far, but recently in general has been dismal. That goes for the top three Asian teams in general, and it's a good thing Japan beat Australia last week or they'd likely be out with Honda leading the loss against Saudia Arabia (and to all those who said he's so great, how valuable was his appearance in these qualifiers? I stand by my statement that he serves better in warming the benches).

As for Australia, while pretty lackluster it is a wee bit unfair that they are unbeaten but for one game and yet are struggling to get a berth. I hope they can make it. While it would be nice to see Syria in there for motivational and uplifting purposes, it just wouldn't be the same if Australia, Japan, and South Korea didn't all make it.

Asia playoff winner likely gonna face USA or Honduras for final World Cup spot

Haha: 'the samurai'.

how valuable was his appearance in these qualifiers?

Well, since he scored 7 goals in the qualifiers I'd say he was pretty valuable. I was impressed by his statements about how he's happy there are so many talented young players on the team ready to best him.

bicultural: "Well, since he scored 7 goals in the qualifiers I'd say he was pretty valuable."

We're not talking about history, we're talking about since the media made a huge deal a week ago about HOnda being brought back for the last two games. But, without deflecting this time, tell us how he has done. Hell, even the J-media took pokes at him this time for his absolute lack of importance on the pitch. No interviews after about how great he is, how it's the team's fault, etc. etc. He just sulked on the field.